§ 90. Sir W. SEAGERasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that there are still 32 British prisoners-of-war in the hands of the Angora Government; and what he proposes to do to bring about their immediate release?
Mr. HARMSWORTHWhen in March last His Majesty's Government concluded a formal agreement with Bekir Sami Bey for a mutual exchange of prisoners, they confidently assumed that the Angora Government appreciated the moral obligation, admitted and observed by all civilised States, to honour the signature of its representative. In pursuance of the agreement 40 out of the 64 Turkish internees at Malta were released. I am sorry to say that the British prisoners are still detained, and His Majesty's Government are reluctantly compelled to admit that their confidence in the good faith of the Angora Government has so far been misplaced. They find it difficult, 1238 however, to believe that the Angora Government will refuse to redeem the pledges given by their representative. Needless to say, His Majesty's Government will continue to make every effort to secure the release of the British prisoners, pending which the remaining 24 Turks named in the agreement will be detained at Malta.